Healthcare Professionals

About Parkinson's Disease

Home |

Most people who get Parkinson’s disease are over the age of 50. But around one in five cases occur in people under the age of 40.

The underlying cause of Parkinson’s disease is a decrease in a certain chemical substance – known as dopamine - within the nerves in areas of the brain responsible for controlling movement.

At present, there is no cure for Parkinson’s disease. Instead, treatment focuses on the relief of these key symptoms:

Tremor: an uncontrollable trembling or shaking
Rigidity: an abnormal stiffness of the muscles
Bradykinesia: an extreme slowness of movement and reflexes.

People with Parkinson’s disease may also experience other problems, including tiredness, depression, difficulties with balance and handwriting. They can also find their speech and facial expression change. Some people have difficulties eating and swallowing.

recommend this page

Glossary

Glossary entries within this article:

Action tremor
- Involuntary movement of limbs that occurs when limbs are moved voluntarily.
Agonist
- Chemical substance or drug that enhances or mimics the activity of a neurotransmitter, for example dopamine.
Amantadine
- Chemical substance used in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease to improve tremor, rigidity and bradykinesia.
Antagonist
- Chemical substance or drug that reduces the activity of a neurotransmitter, for example dopamine.
Bradykinesia
- involuntary slowing of movements, often seen in Parkinson patients.
Depression
- Sadness, melancholy or listlessness that is not caused by visible reasons.
Dopamine
- Neurotransmitter in the CNS. Dopamine deficiency is one of the major anomalies in Parkinson’s disease leading to the major symptoms such as bradykinesia, tremor, and rigidity.
Dyskinesia
- Abnormal involuntary body movement that is a common side effect after long-term intermittent receptor stimulation in the brain e.g. pulsatile l-dopa treatment. It results in jerking, twisting and abnormal turning.
Rigidity
- An abnormal stiffness of the muscles. The reflexes necessary for balance become impaired. The risk of falling increases.
Tremor
- An uncontrollable shaking, in particular the hands. Performing everyday tasks, such as fastening buttons or shaving, becomes more difficult.

In the glossary you will find terms that we have provided with some extra-information.

glossary

Imprint Legal Disclaimer Sitemap